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Clinique vs Clarins

Rated by Lovi · Unbiased, science-based skincare AI trained on real user outcomes · How the Fit score works

Clinique and Clarins are two esteemed skincare brands offering thoughtful ranges of moisturizers, serums, and eye products. The American brand, founded in 1968, incorporates hyaluronic acid, glycerin, and caffeine to best suit dry sensitive skin and oily skin, whereas the French brand, founded in 1954, relies on shea and squalane to best suit sensitive skin and dry sensitive skin. Both houses provide standout solutions for acne-prone skin, skin with dark spots, and mature skin. Ultimately, they differ through their distinct heritage, targeted ingredients, and specialized formulations.

Clinique is an American skincare brand founded in 1968 and owned by The Estée Lauder Companies Inc..

en.wikipedia.orgelcompanies.combusinesswire.comglossy.co

Clarins is a French skincare brand founded in 1954 and owned by Famille C (Groupe Clarins).

groupeclarins.comen.wikipedia.orghappi.com

This page compares some of the most popular Clinique and Clarins products; for every product of both brands, with a fit score for your own skin, use the Lovi app.

Popular Clinique vs Clarins products

People Say

CliniqueClarins
  • Lightweight and fast-absorbing Often MentionedOften Mentioned
    • “sinks in immediately — Clinique moisture surge”
    • “sinks in instantly — Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Gel”
    • “absorbs immediately — Clarins Double Serum Eye”
    • “sinks in immediately — Clarins Double Serum Light Texture”
  • Effective hydration Sometimes NotedMostly Mentioned
    • “skin drinks it up — Clarins Double Serum”
    • “keeps skin moist — Clarins Multi-Active Jour”
    • “woke up with baby soft skin — Clarins Multi-Active Nuit”
    • “Keeps my dry patches at bay all day — Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion+”
  • Sensitive skin friendly Mostly MentionedRarely Noted
    • “never irritated my eyes — Clinique All About Eyes”
    • “No stinging eyes — Clinique Take The Day Off Cleansing Balm”
    • “cools the heat in my cheeks — Clinique Redness Solutions Daily Relief Cream”
    • “no irritation for contact wearers — Clarins Total Eye Lift”
  • Plumping and anti-aging Sometimes NotedOften Mentioned
    • “neck feels smoother — Clarins Extra-Firming Neck & Décolleté Cream”
    • “Skin feels wonderfully moist and supple — Clarins Extra-Firming Day Cream”
    • “visibly tighter, lifted skin — Clarins Super Restorative Night Cream”
    • “glass skin look — Clinique moisture surge”
  • Excellent makeup base Often MentionedSometimes Noted
    • “foundation glides on — Clinique moisture surge”
    • “holds concealer in place — Clinique All About Eyes”
    • “concealer glides on smoothly — Clarins Total Eye Lift”
    • “Perfect primer for any foundation, which all glide on smoothly. — Clarins Beauty Flash Balm”
  • Morning glow and radiance Rarely NotedOften Mentioned
    • “skin looks brighter immediately — Clarins Cryo-Flash Cream-Mask”
    • “Gives off the most stunning natural radiance I've ever come across. — Clarins Beauty Flash Balm”
    • “radiant youthful glow — Clarins Multi-Active Jour”
    • “wake up glowing — Clinique Moisture Surge Overnight Mask”
  • High price point Often MentionedMostly Mentioned
    • “jar is too small for the cost — Clinique moisture surge”
    • “quite pricey — Clinique Smart Clinical Repair Wrinkle Correcting Serum”
    • “Expensive for cleanser — Clinique Take The Day Off Cleansing Balm”
    • “way too expensive — Clarins Double Serum”
  • Unpleasant or strong scent Sometimes NotedOften Mentioned
    • “Smells like nail polish remover — Clinique Clarifying Lotion 2”
    • “Smells like old oil — Clinique Take The Day Off Cleansing Balm”
    • “Has a weird plastic-like smell — Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion+”
    • “smells like perfume — Clarins Multi-Active Jour”
  • Causes breakouts Sometimes NotedSometimes Noted
    • “caused cystic acne — Clarins Double Serum”
    • “caused redness — Clarins Double Serum Eye”
    • “made my face burn — Clarins Cryo-Flash Cream-Mask”
    • “Woke up with whiteheads on my chin — Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion+”
  • Pump and bottle design issues Rarely NotedSometimes Noted
    • “pump dispenses too much — Clinique Smart Clinical Repair Wrinkle Correcting Serum”
    • “dispenses too much product — Clarins Total Eye Lift”

Clinique vs Clarins routines for dry skin

See multi-brand routine · 99% fit

Clinique vs Clarins routines for oily skin

See multi-brand routine · 95% fit

Clinique vs Clarins routines for combination skin

See multi-brand routine · 95% fit

Questions and answers

Clinique or Clarins: which is better?

Clarins helps provide better overall hydration and radiance, while Clinique is typically preferred for sensitive skin. Both brands offer products on this page that may work well for mature skin.

What is the difference between Clinique and Clarins?

Clarins offers better hydration and anti-aging benefits, while Clinique is more sensitive skin friendly and fragrance-free across the products on this page. Topical hyaluronic acid and caffeine found in these brands help improve skin quality and signs of aging.

Dermatologic Therapy, 2022Skin Pharmacology and Physiology, 2013

Clinique or Clarins for dry skin?

Clarins fits dry skin better than Clinique, with Clarins offering a High routine fit compared to Clinique's Average fit. Clarins products on this page often feature hydrating and smoothing moisturizers as well as key ingredients like squalane that help improve skin quality.

Molecules, 2009

Clinique or Clarins: which cleanser is better?

Clarins is better for cleansers on this page, as Lovi rates its Gentle Foaming Cleanser and Hydrating Gentle Foaming Cleanser as higher fits for dry and sensitive skin compared to Clinique. Reviewers also mention that Clarins offers luxurious textures, while Clinique cleansers may cause dryness warnings on certain skin types.

Which is more affordable, Clinique or Clarins?

Clinique is more affordable, as high price points are noted as a negative review theme for the brand compared to Clarins on the page.

Clinique or Clarins: which has fragrance-free products?

Clinique is the better choice for fragrance-free skincare, as every product on the page lists no fragrance in its ingredients. In contrast, almost all products on the Clarins page contain fragrance.

Clinique or Clarins for oily skin?

For oily skin, Clinique is the better choice on this page. Lovi rates Clinique as having a High routine fit for oily skin compared to Clarins' Average fit level.

Clinique or Clarins: which moisturizer is better?

Clarins is generally better for moisturizers on this page, as it offers superior hydration and glow-boosting benefits compared to Clinique. Lovi rates Clarins moisturizers with a High routine fit for dry skin, while Clinique is noted for its lightweight and fast-absorbing formulas.

Dermatologic Therapy, 2022

Clinique or Clarins for sensitive skin?

Clarins is a better fit for sensitive skin, achieving a high Lovi fit level compared to Clinique's average fit. Clarins also features key ingredients like glycerin and vitamin E, which help soothe the skin.

Clinique or Clarins for acne-prone skin?

Both Clinique and Clarins are a good match for acne-prone skin, as Lovi rates both brands as having an average fit for this skin type across the products on this page. Reviewers note that Clinique offers oil-controlling and smoothing moisturizers, while Clarins provides lightweight and fast-absorbing formulas.

Clinique or Clarins for mature skin?

Both Clinique and Clarins are a High fit for mature skin on the products on this page. Clarins also helps with plumping and anti-aging, while Clinique is noted for being sensitive skin friendly.

Clinique or Clarins for dry sensitive skin?

Both Clinique and Clarins are a High fit for dry sensitive skin on the products on this page. Clinique stands out for being fragrance-free, while Clarins helps provide effective hydration with key ingredients like squalane.

Molecules, 2009Dermatologic Therapy, 2022

Research behind their key ingredients

Behind this comparison

Lovi compares products by their fit scores, calculated from the full ingredient list with brand-independent rules our dermatologists and cosmetic chemists build and review, and personalizes every pick with AI trained on the real results of millions of users. Lovi trains its fit score models on a proprietary dataset built from more than 10,000 expert-labeled products and more than 100,000 simulated examples, following an internally consistent methodology presented at Cosmoprof, AMWC, and Skin of Color Update.

  • Nadia Kapleva, MS

    Nadia Kapleva, MS

    Co-founder, Medical Director

    Cosmetic chemist, cosmetologist, aesthetic products developer

  • Alexey Shagraev, PhD

    Alexey Shagraev, PhD

    Co-founder, CEO and CTO

    PhD in computer science, 3x US patent holder, ex-Google, ex-Yandex

  • Dr. Sofía Perea Pérez, MD, MSc

    Dr. Sofía Perea Pérez, MD, MSc

    Medical Board

    Aesthetic medicine practitioner, MSc in Longevity and Anti-Aging Medicine

  • Aishani Shah, MD

    Aishani Shah, MD

    Medical Board

    Specialist dermatologist, MBBS, MD, IFAAD

  • Asya Zubkova, MS

    Asya Zubkova, MS

    Medical Board

    Cosmetic chemist, SCS, IFSCC member

  • Hanna Kurets, MD

    Hanna Kurets, MD

    Medical Board, Medical Advisor

    Dermatology MD

  • Elina Nazarenko, MD

    Elina Nazarenko, MD

    Medical Board

    Dermatology and diagnostic consultant

  • Victoria Derkova, MS

    Victoria Derkova, MS

    Medical Board

    Cosmetic chemist, cosmetic development technologist

How does it fit your skin?

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